Bethulie

Bethulie
Nederduitse Gereformeerde Church, Grey Street, Bethulie
Bethulie
Bethulie
Bethulie
Coordinates: 30°28′S 25°58′E / 30.467°S 25.967°E / -30.467; 25.967
CountrySouth Africa
ProvinceFree State
DistrictXhariep
MunicipalityKopanong
Established1863
Government
 • TypeMunicipality
 • MayorXolile Mathwa (ANC)
Area
 • Total
37.0 km2 (14.3 sq mi)
Population
 (2023)
 • Total
16,000 (approx.)
 • Density430/km2 (1,100/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)
 • Black African81.6%
 • Coloured9.3%
 • Indian/Asian0.7%
 • White8.0%
 • Other0.4%
First languages (2011)
 • Xhosa43.8%
 • Sotho31.0%
 • Afrikaans18.9%
 • English2.7%
 • Other3.7%
Time zoneUTC+2 (SAST)
Postal code (street)
9992
PO box
9992
Area code051

Bethulie is a small sheep and cattle farming town in the Free State province of South Africa. The name meaning chosen by God was given by directors of a mission station in 1829 which the town formed around. The mission building is the oldest settler built building still standing in the Free State. The town was also home to one of the largest concentration camps run by the British during the Boer War. The Dutch Reformed Church was built in 1862.